A single Halfords Autocentre brand in the next 2 years
Following the publication of the companys first half 2025 financial results, one solution to the problem of strangulated tyre demand is for Autocentres to do more service, maintenance and repair (SMR) work. Halford Group’s strategy for that is the acceleration of the development of Fusion villages. The original plan was to open around 25 new Fusion Motoring Services locations in 2025 at a cost of approximately £5 million (@£200,000 per site). 22 sites have been delivered so far this year, “with the 10 sites delivered over the Summer as the first wave now having 3 to 4 months of trading behind them”, according to the company. And ultimately this means the re-branding of retail sites under the Halfords name.
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Halfords Autocentres prop up group sales growth, amidst under pressure tyre demand
Halfords Group has reported first-half 2025 sales of £864.8 million, down 1.0 per cent compared with the same period in 2024. For its part, Halfords Autocentres reported sales of £348.7 million, down 2.3 per cent compared with £356.9 million in the first half of 2024. Meanwhile, the large-scale tyre retailer also shared details of its plans for the transition of some its acquired retail businesses into Fusion centres.
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Drivers don’t know cars are collecting their data
While cars and their tyres becoming increasingly “intelligent”, the majority of car owners don’t know their vehicle could be collecting data about their driving schedules (72%) and live location (44%), amongst other things. According to research commissioned by Uswitch, less than a third (28%) of car owners read the terms and conditions or data agreements around their car’s data collection capabilities.
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Davanti Tyres becomes Mini Challenge Clubsport technical partner, commercial sponsor
Davanti Tyres has signed a three-year technical and commercial partnership with the Mini Challenge Clubsport, commencing in January 2025. The UK tyre brand’s Protoura Race – its first semi-slick track tyre – will be the new control tyre of the championship, supplied and fitted by BMTR Motorsport. The championship is known for producing competitive action on-track, and organisers stated that they were pleased to introduce a new control tyre with “high levels of research and development.”
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HiQ’s ‘Project Pink’ surpasses £150,000 total fundraising
At the conclusion of HiQ Tyres & Autocare’s ‘Pink October’ campaign, HiQ reports that over £150,000 has been raised for the Breast Cancer Now charity. Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer research and support charity, dedicated to advancing research, offering advice, and building a supportive community for those affected by breast cancer. Since 2009, HiQ Tyres & Autocare has proudly supported Breast Cancer Now, raising funds to help drive its world-class research and life-changing support initiatives.
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TyreSafe adds new trustee
TyreSafe has appointed Lancashire County Council road safety manager Tony Crook as its newest Trustee following his election at the Annual General Meeting on 12 November 2024. The organisation described Crook as “a seasoned road safety expert” with “decades of experience and a deep commitment to improving road safety across the UK.” He has been a member of TyreSafe’s steering committee since April, as well as heading teams dedicated to education, engagement, and speed assessment on Lancashire County Council.
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Klarius continues grassroots motorsport support with student race teams
Emissions control component supplier Klarius is a long-term supporter of motorsport, having designed and manufactured high-quality components to help racing teams achieve success. Now the company says its commitment extends beyond professional motorsport as it provides material and technical support to university racing teams to nurture the next generation of engineers and racing enthusiasts.
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‘Pivotal shift’ in road safety policy sees tyres recognised in RoSPA prevention strategy report
TyreSafe has helped bring formal recognition to tyre safety within the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ (PoSPA) national report for the first time in its century-long history. The tyre safety organisation hailed the inclusion as a “pivotal shift in road safety policy.” While tyres are already subject to legal requirements, public awareness remains limited. The Strategys recommendations to strengthen enforcement and educate road users on the dangers of illegal and poorly maintained tyres are essential to making UK roads safer.
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Ben’s Christmas lifeline
For the fifth year in a row, Ben is holding out a helping hand to automotive families this Christmas. The project started in December 2020 in response to the Covid pandemic when many more automotive families were struggling to afford the basics at a more expensive time of year. Since then, with Ben’s support, hundreds of automotive families have been able to pay their basic living costs, give Christmas gifts to their children and have a festive lunch together.
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Sophie Foucque named CEO of Michelin Connected Fleet in three continents
Sophie Foucque has been appointed as CEO of Michelin Connected Fleet, Europe, Africa and Australia. Previously, she headed Michelin’s Mobility Intelligence Business Venture as group managing director, prior to which she supported several divisions in the fields of artificial intelligence and business change, during a career within Michelin Group spanning nearly 15 years. Specifically, Foucque was previously vice-president for M&A Strategy and Innovation in Michelin’s Services & Solutions division. She will now be based in London in her new role.
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EV and ADAS focus in Valeo Tech Academy
Valeo has unveiled its new training offering, Valeo Tech Academy. According to the company, the digital and in-person IMI-certified courses being offered through the new platform are set to help reduce growing sector skills shortages, particularly around EVs and ADAS.
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Hella Gutmann names top 10 most common remote diagnostic jobs
New data from Hella Gutmann reveals that the most common workshop task performed using its macsRemote Services is the replacement of the steering assistance module. The latest analysis also shows that front radar module replacement and front radar calibration rank second and third in the top 10 list of the most ticketed remote diagnostic tasks.
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Michelin tyres on Xpeng electric vehicles
Distribution of Xpeng in the UK will be “in early 2025” with the introduction of the advanced G6 mid-size SUV. But what tyres will the cars be fitted with? Suggestions that the carmaker with factories in Zhaoqing and Guangzhou, Guangdong province would choose Chinese tyre brands are undermined by the fact that the G6 is pictured wearing Michelin rubber in promotion shots located in London, Paris and Amsterdam.
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East Midlands public transport operator commits to fit Michelin tyres for next 5 years
Public transport operator trentbarton has committed to a further five years on Michelin bus tyres, having signed a new Effitires contract with Michelin’s Connected Solutions division. Michelin will supply and manage the tyres on more than 400 buses servicing routes across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire for trentbarton, as well as the Wellglade Group’s other businesses Notts + Derby, TM Travel and Kinchbus.
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Wheel alignment in MOTs ‘would cut emissions, save UK motorists £4bn a year’ – SharkEye
Garage equipment company SharkEye Wheel Aligners UK has made the case for making wheel alignment part of the MOT test. The company argues that ensuring UK road vehicles are properly aligned would save motorists billions of pounds a year. Proper alignment helps to minimise rolling resistance, as well as ensuring that tyres wear evenly, increasing their longevity. The firm used the occasion of a visit from Jo White MP to its new service centre in Worksop, Nottinghamshire to put forward its argument. SharkEye’s message comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlines his UK’s ambitious ‘net zero’ targets at the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan.
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